Day 1: Scholar’s mate: guard f7
This day is not open yet
Finish the previous day first; each new trap opens the day after.
All 7 daysYou play Black. Find a move that does not fall for the trap.
Make your move on the board first — the explanation appears afterwards.
What now?
- Read the short explanation below (about 30 seconds).
- Come back tomorrow for day 2. Tap “Remind me tomorrow” so you don’t forget.
The tempting mistake
3...d6?? looks like a normal developing move, but it ignores the double attack on f7 by the queen on h5 and the bishop on c4. 4.Qxf7# ends the game at once.
The safe defence
Cover f7 first. 3...g6 blocks the queen’s diagonal and attacks her; 3...Qe7 defends f7 directly; 3...Nh6 also guards f7. The e5 pawn is already protected by the knight on c6.
Day 2 opens tomorrow
Come back tomorrow for the next trap. This link always opens your next day:
Optional. Downloads a calendar file with one reminder per remaining day at 18:00. Nothing is stored on our side and no e-mails are sent.
Source and review
Example game from the trap collection: Brady - NN, 1993
Source study (Lichess) · Background reading (Wikipedia) · Full trap page
Automated check on 2026-10-10: the line was replayed move by move and the key moves were checked with Stockfish (depth 18).
Human review: ChessGL team, 2026-10-11.